- Home
- Bible
- Job
- Chapter 21
- Verse 21
Job 21:14
Verse
Context
Sermons
Joseph Alleine
Richard Baxter
Philip Doddridge
Horatius Bonar
Thomas BrooksSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
They say unto God - This is the language of their conduct, though not directly of their lips. Depart from us - Let us alone; we do not trouble thee. Thy ways are painful; we do not like cross-bearing. Thy ways are spiritual; we wish to live after the flesh. We have learned to do our own will; we do not wish to study thine.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Therefore--rather, "And yet they are such as say," &c., that is, say, not in so many words, but virtually, by their conduct (so the Gergesenes, Mat 8:34). How differently the godly (Isa 2:3). ways--The course of action, which God points out; as in Psa 50:23, Margin.
John Gill Bible Commentary
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?.... "Who is he" (t)? as some render it; or what is there in him, in his nature, in his excellencies and perfections, that should oblige us to serve him? One would think the attribute of "Almighty", they own and acknowledge, is sufficient to engage to it, since he is the lawgiver that is able to save and to destroy, even to destroy with an everlasting destruction, both body and soul in hell, who obey him not; but fulness of riches, power, and authority, swell the mind with pride, and put men on asking such questions, and running such lengths as these; see Exo 5:2. The question is full of atheism, and suggests there was nothing in God excellent or worthy of any regard, or on account of which he should be served and worshipped; as if he was a mere idol, which is nothing in the world; and that he was indeed nothing in it, neither did good nor evil, nor concerned himself with the affairs of men; had forsaken the earth, and took no notice of what was doing is it; at least, the question supposes that such think themselves under no obligations to serve him, and shows them to be sons of Belial, without a yoke; that they neither are nor can he subject to the law of God without his grace; they are not willing God should reign over them, nor to be obedient to his commands and ordinances; but are for freeing themselves from all obligations to him, and choose to serve various lusts and pleasures; be the vassals of sin and Satan, rather than be the worshippers of God: and what profit should we have if we pray unto him? Prayer is one part of the service of God, and may be here put for the whole: this, as all the rest, is very disagreeable to a natural man, who, as he is biased entirely by profit and gain, thinks there is nothing to be got by religious exercises; he observing, that the worshippers of God, as to external things, fare worse than those who do not pray unto him, or do not serve and worship him; see Mal 3:14; though there is much profit, and many things, and those most excellent and valuable, got by prayer; for whatsoever good men ask in prayer, believing, they receive, Mat 7:7. The Targum is "if we pray in his Word,'' in the name of the essential Word, the Son of God; whereas to ask or pray in his name is the only way of succeeding; and such, who do ask in faith in his name, have what they ask for, Joh 14:15. (t) "quis est?" V. L.
Job 21:14
Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
13They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. 14Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. 15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
An Alarm to the Unconverted 2 of 5
By Joseph Alleine1.3K1:29:23Audio BooksGEN 19:15JOB 21:14PSA 82:5ISA 48:17EZK 16:30HOS 11:3MAL 1:13MAT 5:8LUK 11:1JHN 3:3ROM 5:6EPH 2:5In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-examination and the danger of being deceived about one's spiritual state. He challenges the listeners to honestly assess their hearts and actions, questioning whether they are truly converted and living in obedience to God. The preacher highlights the tragic state of those who may think they are rich in grace but are actually spiritually poor, blind, and naked. He urges the conscience to give a true report of one's condition and calls for a definite answer regarding one's relationship with God. The sermon concludes with a plea to take action and escape the consequences of remaining in a sinful state.
The Misery of Those Who Lose the Saints' Rest
By Richard Baxter0JOB 21:14MAT 5:8MAT 11:30JHN 3:3ROM 1:28HEB 11:38HEB 12:14REV 3:20Richard Baxter delivers a powerful sermon warning about the consequences of rejecting Christ and living in sin, emphasizing the eternal separation from God and the everlasting torment in hell for those who do not repent. He draws parallels from the story of Ehud and Eglon to illustrate the urgency of delivering God's message to turn hearts towards salvation. Baxter highlights the importance of accepting Christ and the necessity of holiness to see the Lord, urging listeners to heed the call before it's too late.
The Careless Sinner Awakened
By Philip Doddridge0JOB 21:14PSA 94:9MAT 9:18MRK 10:21ACT 17:28ROM 3:162CO 5:1EPH 2:12TIT 1:161JN 3:20Philip Doddridge preaches about the neglect of religion in the world, addressing those who may be neglecting their relationship with God despite not being grossly vicious, urging them to examine their hearts and consider their lack of devotion to God. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's presence, agency, and perfection, as well as personal obligations to Him, highlighting the danger of neglecting religion and the impact it may have on one's future. Doddridge appeals to the conscience of the reader, urging them to awaken from their thoughtlessness and consider the consequences of continuing to neglect their spiritual life.
Man's Dislike of a Present God.
By Horatius Bonar0Rejection of GodWorldlinessJOB 21:14PSA 10:4ISA 29:13MAT 15:8JHN 14:6ROM 1:212TI 3:16HEB 4:12JAS 4:41JN 2:15Horatius Bonar addresses the tendency of worldly men to reject the presence of God, as illustrated in Job 21:14, where they express a desire for God to depart from them. He explains that this rejection is not born from atheism or a sense of injustice, but rather from a love for worldly pleasures that God threatens to disrupt. Bonar emphasizes that this attitude is prevalent not only in the world but also within the church, where individuals seek to distance themselves from God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and God's law. Ultimately, he highlights God's persistent love and desire to remain close to humanity, despite their rejection. Bonar calls for a recognition of the emptiness that follows God's departure and the importance of embracing His presence.
Heaven Would Be a Very Hell
By Thomas Brooks0Desire for HeavenHolinessJOB 21:14PSA 24:3ISA 35:8MAT 5:8ROM 12:22CO 5:17GAL 5:24HEB 12:141PE 1:16REV 21:27Thomas Brooks emphasizes that for an unholy heart, heaven would feel like hell due to its purity and holiness, which are contrary to their desires. He points out that while unholy souls may seek heaven for relief from earthly troubles, they lack the true longing for the divine presence and holiness that heaven embodies. The sermon warns that the company and activities in heaven are entirely holy, making it undesirable for those who cling to sin and reject God's ways. Ultimately, Brooks calls for self-examination regarding one's desires for heaven and the nature of one's heart in relation to God.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
They say unto God - This is the language of their conduct, though not directly of their lips. Depart from us - Let us alone; we do not trouble thee. Thy ways are painful; we do not like cross-bearing. Thy ways are spiritual; we wish to live after the flesh. We have learned to do our own will; we do not wish to study thine.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Therefore--rather, "And yet they are such as say," &c., that is, say, not in so many words, but virtually, by their conduct (so the Gergesenes, Mat 8:34). How differently the godly (Isa 2:3). ways--The course of action, which God points out; as in Psa 50:23, Margin.
John Gill Bible Commentary
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?.... "Who is he" (t)? as some render it; or what is there in him, in his nature, in his excellencies and perfections, that should oblige us to serve him? One would think the attribute of "Almighty", they own and acknowledge, is sufficient to engage to it, since he is the lawgiver that is able to save and to destroy, even to destroy with an everlasting destruction, both body and soul in hell, who obey him not; but fulness of riches, power, and authority, swell the mind with pride, and put men on asking such questions, and running such lengths as these; see Exo 5:2. The question is full of atheism, and suggests there was nothing in God excellent or worthy of any regard, or on account of which he should be served and worshipped; as if he was a mere idol, which is nothing in the world; and that he was indeed nothing in it, neither did good nor evil, nor concerned himself with the affairs of men; had forsaken the earth, and took no notice of what was doing is it; at least, the question supposes that such think themselves under no obligations to serve him, and shows them to be sons of Belial, without a yoke; that they neither are nor can he subject to the law of God without his grace; they are not willing God should reign over them, nor to be obedient to his commands and ordinances; but are for freeing themselves from all obligations to him, and choose to serve various lusts and pleasures; be the vassals of sin and Satan, rather than be the worshippers of God: and what profit should we have if we pray unto him? Prayer is one part of the service of God, and may be here put for the whole: this, as all the rest, is very disagreeable to a natural man, who, as he is biased entirely by profit and gain, thinks there is nothing to be got by religious exercises; he observing, that the worshippers of God, as to external things, fare worse than those who do not pray unto him, or do not serve and worship him; see Mal 3:14; though there is much profit, and many things, and those most excellent and valuable, got by prayer; for whatsoever good men ask in prayer, believing, they receive, Mat 7:7. The Targum is "if we pray in his Word,'' in the name of the essential Word, the Son of God; whereas to ask or pray in his name is the only way of succeeding; and such, who do ask in faith in his name, have what they ask for, Joh 14:15. (t) "quis est?" V. L.